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Andruzzi On Toucher & Rich: ‘These Guys Are Hungry’

Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots goes through plays with his players. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

The Patriots are in Detroit to take on the Lions in their third preseason game. The starters will get the most time tonight as they gear up for Week 1 of the regular season.

Most have been impressed with New England’s offense so far there’s an article in ESPN Magazine that doesn’t have the Patriots finding much success this season. The article has the Patriots going 9-7 this season and missing the playoffs and the Miami Dolphins taking the division with a record of 10-6.

Is there even a chance that the Patriots only win nine games and miss the playoffs?

“How could you say that?” asked Joe Andruzzi, former Patriot guard and three-time Super Bowl champion. “I guess the big changes over the last year and the new faces, but the core of the team is still there and you still got great leaders on that team. These guys are hungry and to say that, that’s somebody who hasn’t done their research and doesn’t understand what this team is about and who their actual leader is out there.”

Andruzzi joined 98.5 The Sports Hub’s Toucher & Rich on Thursday morning to discuss the third preseason game, Tom Brady and the offense and tight end Rob Gronkowski.

There’s still a lot unknown about the status of Rob Gronkowski, but we know he won’t play the first couple of games at least. How tough of a job does Josh McDaniels have with all these new offensive players and no Gronk?

“Very tough, but they’ve done it in the past.”

They went on to discuss Tom Brady and all the success that he’s had. Is Andruzzi surprised that with all the success the quarterback has had that he still has the drive to win?

“Tom is the ultimate competitor and he’s been that way since 2000 when I was with him when he can in as sixth round pick fourth string quarterback.”

The guys went on to discuss what the third preseason game means for guys on the team. While this is a chance for the starters to play three quarters, it’s also a time for guys on the roster bubble to make an impression.